Following the news that vaccines for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are in an advanced stage of clinical trial, there is also an upsurge in the interest in influenza vaccines.

In the past, fluctuation in demand discouraged flu vaccine producers. They worried about sales due to the low flu vaccination rate. So now facing a rising demand for flu vaccines this year, it is difficult for them to adapt to such a drastic market change immediately.

Sales and prices are determined by market conditions. It is necessary to resume production when there is a strong demand while vaccine manufacturers face risks or even losses when the demand goes down.

It is necessary to find a balanced method to manage this contradiction; specifically, to make an accurate forecast for demand in the vaccine market and then seize the initiative to produce flu vaccines. Market survey statistics and big data can help predict the demand for flu vaccines and vaccine producers can be prepared.

Vaccine production and supply capacity depends not only on output capacity but also on adaptability. The establishment of an early warning mechanism will help resolve the problem and production and supply of flu vaccines can become more stable and orderly.

This is an edited excerpt of an article originally published in Beijing Youth Daily on October 19 

(Print Edition Title: Flu Vaccine Problem)